Utility Vehicle Power Unit Back Torque Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility vehicle power units face challenges in maintaining the service life of the electricity generator while keeping the power unit compact, as existing designs often lead to adverse effects when reconfiguring components like the electricity generator.
Innovation Solution
The power unit configuration includes a drive shaft, a reduced-speed shaft, a continuously variable transmission, and an electricity generator positioned to absorb back torque, allowing for high space efficiency and reduced transmission of back torque to the generator, thus extending its service life without increasing the power unit's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electricity generator is translocated to a different position, then the service life of the electricity generator is improved, but the size of the power unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electricity generator is repositioned from a longitudinal arrangement to a lateral arrangement, where it is disposed laterally of the engine along a direction extending in a lateral direction of the vehicle body. This dimensional change allows the generator to be positioned in previously unused lateral space, reducing back torque transmission while maintaining compact overall dimensions of the power unit.
Solution Approach 2:
A lateral shaft is introduced as an intermediary component to transmit rotational power from the engine to the electricity generator. This lateral shaft, together with the lateral gear, creates a new power transmission path that isolates the electricity generator from direct back torque exposure while maintaining efficient power delivery.
2Volume of moving object
If the layout of components is changed to reduce power unit size, then the compactness of the power unit is improved, but the behavior of the utility vehicle deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the electricity generator in a specific lateral location where it can effectively absorb back torque without interfering with the overall vehicle dynamics. The lateral displacement of the generator creates an optimal balance between compactness and vehicle behavior, allowing the power unit to be compact while maintaining stable vehicle operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances the service life of the electricity generator by absorbing back torque and maintaining a compact power unit design, preventing size increases while ensuring efficient power transmission.
Implementation Method 1
back torque exerted on the drive wheel from the ground surface is absorbed by the belt of the continuously variable transmission
Data Source
AI summary
A power unit of a utility vehicle includes: a power source for travel of the utility vehicle; a continuously variable transmission; a reduced-speed shaft disposed parallel to a drive shaft of the power source and coaxially with a CVT input shaft of the continuously variable transmission; speed-reduction gears that transmit rotational power of the drive shaft to the reduced-speed shaft; and an electricity generator mounted on a shaft assembly including the CVT input shaft and the reduced-speed shaft. The drive shaft, the shaft assembly, the CVT input shaft, and the CVT output shaft extend in a first direction. The electricity generator is aligned with the power source in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the location of the electricity generator in the first direction overlaps with the location of the power source in the first direction.